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I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
Fishing for walleyes can feel like hitting a well if you don’t have the right equipment. There are plenty of ways to go about walleye fishing, but if your lure is subpar, it won’t matter.
Our article is a handy guide to the best walleye lures on the market. Each product was tested and researched to make sure what lures to use for walleye.
Let’s get to take best walleye fishing lures!
Top 3 Walleye Lures
Best Walleye Lure For Deeper Water
Cotton Cordell Wally Diver
- Affordability
- Good for casting and trolling.
- Works well in freshwater systems and saltwater.
Best Walleye Lure For Night Fishing
Berkley PowerBait Worms
- Smell attracts all sorts of fish, including walleye
- Durability
- Performance
Best Walleye Lure For Trolling
Berkley Flicker Shad
- Multi-purpose troll bait
- Performance
- Works well with many fishing methods
Best Lures For Walleye: Our Recommendations
Cotton Cordell Wally Diver
WHY WE LIKE IT: At just half an ounce, this small wally diver works well with most fishing techniques. Depending on the size, it can dive between 8 to 20 ft. It can float but works best when you let it hang suspended off its long diving tip. Cotton Cordell Wally Diver excels in all areas, making it a walleye angler’s best arsenal.
- Material: Made of blended material.
- Size: Comes in 2-1/2″ and 3-1/8″.
- Color: Special Perch, Chrome Blue Black, and over a dozen other color patterns.
Pros
- Affordability
- Good for casting and trolling.
- Works well in freshwater systems and saltwater.
- Durable and sturdy.
Cons
- Coating is prone to chipping
- Doesn't rattle.
- Hooks may need upgrading.
OVERVIEW: It’s the easiest to use amongst other walleye crankbaits that can go down to deeper water. It’s also very versatile and was by far among the best walleye lures we’ve ever taken to the great lakes. The Cotton Cordell Wally Driver is excellent for ice fishing, so you can pair it with an walleye ice fishing rod for even better success.
FEATURES: Its size might be deceptive, but the diver is capable of handling the force of large walleye and other fish. It stays suspended in the water so there’s no worry about it floating up. As a walleye lure a lot of different fishing techniques can be used on it. On all fronts, it reigns supreme as the overall best walleye bait.
Berkley PowerBait Worms
WHY WE LIKE IT: The majority of walleye lures tend to look like baitfish, but there’s also a market for fake worm lures. The PowerBait Worms from Berkley effortlessly made it on our list of the best walleye lures that are ideal for fishing in lakes, rivers, and streams. These long worm lures are packed with a delectable scent a walleye will want to chase and not let go of.
- Size: 7 and 10 Inches
- Color: Black, Black Grape, Motor Oil, Plum, and a dozen more.
- Material: Made of blended material
Pros
- Smell attracts all sorts of fish, including walleye
- Durability
- Performance
- Affordability
Cons
- Worms need to be rigged for a hook to go in.
- Need to be stored in a zip lock bag or air-tight storage
- Scent durability
OVERVIEW: We found that either casting it far or using a spinner rig will ensure you get the most out of these worms. With their ribbon tails and lightweight, you can make them move around the water just like real worms. The scent they come embedded with is quite strong and catches just about any fish you can find in freshwater areas.
FEATURES: If you’re tired of using live bait, these Power Worms and their unique design perfectly mimic worms and other live bait. They’re quite useful for night fishing as well. Compared to worm lures made by other companies, these are much more durable, and there’s no end to the color combinations they can come in.
Berkley Flicker Shad
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re a walleye angler on a tight belt, Berkley Flicker Shad lure is the perfect arsenal for those on a budget. It may be a small walleye lure, but this jointed shad can make quite the rattle just like a real shad. It dives well with its deep diving lip and can catch walleyes with its two hooks.
- Size: 2 and 2-3/4 Inches
- Weight: 0.012 – 0.0208 pounds
- Material: soft plastic body
- Color: Black Silver, Blue Smelt, Firetiger, Kingfisher, and a dozen more.
Pros
- Multi-purpose troll bait
- Affordability
- Performance
- Works well with many fishing methods
Cons
- Hooks may not be as durable
- Soft plastic body that may not be as durable as other lures
- May need minor tuning
OVERVIEW: Soft plastic walleye lures may not offer much in durability, but performance-wise the shad is as perfect as can be. It earns its spot among our list of best walleye lures, especially because we tried it with trolling methods – it worked wonders! Many walleye anglers look for good deals on high-quality products, and this lure is it.
FEATURES: The tail is jointed as it helps the product produce loud sounds and vibrations that replicate those of distressed baitfish. With the way it moves, it’s hard to tell it apart from live bait. Its multi-colored body rattle chamber makes it an automatic target to all predators. Troll baits are not often as multi-functional as the Flicker Shad.
Johnson ThinFisher
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Johnson Thinfisher bait is our most recommended blade bait that can catch any large walleye swimming beneath the ice. This is one of those blade baits made from blended material instead of just pure metal. It has a sturdy body and is easy to maneuver.
- Size: 1/2″ and 3/16″
- Material: Blended body
- Color: Multi, black-silver, silver-blue, perch, and black-gold
- Weight: 0.012 – 0.016 pounds
Pros
- Perfect for ice fishing
- Produces noise from rattle chamber that attracts big predatory fish
- Works with many techniques
- Affordability
Cons
- Size may be too small for large walleye
- Hooks should be upgraded
- Limited patterns available
OVERVIEW: We found that it rattles quite easily when you perform vertical jigging, but it is adaptable to different retrieval methods. When fishing under the ice, the size of the product is very favorable as it slips in easily. Comes with two hook rings to ensure it gets caught in the walleye’s mouth. A great alternative is the perch lures, so check out our article on the topic.
FEATURES: It may not be made from metal as similar lures, but its body is stronger than the generic plastic ones. With the right motions, the little crankbait is sure to catch walleye looking for a snack. It’s among the best walleye baits that stand out for its ice fishing abilities.
Lunker City Fin-S Fish
WHY WE LIKE IT: Rivers may not have the current difficulties that oceans have, but they can be just as challenging to fish from. The Fin-S fish lure may be advertised as bait for bass anglers, but it can also be used for walleye. Used as a suspending jerkbait, this flat walleye lure is arguably your best choice for river fishing.
- Size: 5 and 3/4 Inches long
- Color: Albino Shad, Arkansas Shiner, Black Ice, Bubble Gum, Champagne Shad, Golden Shiner, and Salt and Pepper/Blue Phantom
- Weight: 0.19 Pounds
- Material: Soft plastic lure
Pros
- Good for both freshwater and saltwater
- Can be used on a spinner rig or with a weighted jig
- Good for beginners
- Performance
Cons
- Doesn't come with hooks attached
- A bit pricy
- Durability
OVERVIEW: Personally, we prefer to weigh the Fin-S fish lure down to allow it to sink deeper. The design may be old-school, but it gets the job done well as it mimics distressed baitfish like no other. Its body handles the river rapids without an issue. Its design also stands out amongst competitors, and few can handle river fish quite like this walleye lure.
FEATURES: Its soft plastic body may not be as durable as other materials in the long run, but for the seasons it lasts, it can handle a lot of stress. Thin with a deep body profile and a forked tail, it comes with a variety of colors that can trigger the walleye feeding instincts.
Rapala Husky Jerk
WHY WE LIKE IT: In Rapala lures we trust as they haven’t let us down even once since the company’s inception decades ago. Their Rapala Husky Jerk is perfect for moving around the water like a distressed fish with a simple straight steady retrieve. It has an internal rattle chamber to produce vibrations and two treble hooks to catch fish with.
- Material: Made of blended material
- Color: Fire Tiger, Glass Clown, Glass Purple Perch, Glass Purple Sunfire, Gold, Hot Tiger, Purpledescent, and Silver
- Size: 4 Inches long
Pros
- Can dive down to 20 feet due to its deep diving lip
- Can be used near structures
- Performance
- Affordability
Cons
- Hooks may need upgrading
- Only good for long casts
- Requires tuning
OVERVIEW: From our prospect, to get suspended walleyes to make their move, you have to jerk the minnow bait around it. Move then, pause and repeat is our moto. You want your bait to mimic prey perfectly as much as possible. The Husky Jerk is very durable and keeps up with the strength of a walleye. Other minnow bait often gets tangled in weed beds, but this one handles them without effort. For more alternatives, check out our article on the best rapala lures for bass.
FEATURES: The product is also available in a large variety of colors that make for noticeable bait. Walleye anglers can make good use of this jerkbait in many different water environments. With a slight gesture of the rod and a loud rattle, this walleye lure is top quality.
Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait
WHY WE LIKE IT: When walleye fishing, most baits offered come with a long lip, but some products come without one. The Red Eye Shad bait is our pick among the best lipless crankbaits. Without a lip, they can’t be reeled with a slow-speed retrieve, and this bait needs speed to catch predators. Its small body and unique design serve to catch walleye from deep waters.
- Sonic rattle chamber
- Size: Available in 1/2 and 3/4 ounces
- Color: Olive Shad, Blue Craw, Orange Bream, and over a dozen others
- Material: Made from synthetic materials
Pros
- Produces a unique tapping sound from sonic rattle chamber
- Effective in waters with low visibility
- Can be used in both shallower waters and deeper water
- Can be used in waters with weed lines and beds
Cons
- Works best in warm water
- Hook durability
- Paint durability
OVERVIEW: To make the most out of the lipless crankbait, you need to retrieve it as fast as possible. The more pressure the lure is under, the louder the sound it makes. From our experience, it’s quite versatile when it comes to different fishing techniques and can easily hold its own when faced with heavy external force.
FEATURES: The sound chamber within it makes a tapping cadence that no other walleye lure has. With a fast retrieve, it vibrates just like a distressed shad, and its sound brings all the eager fish to you. The large red eye it comes with is depicted realistically and serves to fool all fish, including walleye.
Rapala Shad Rap
WHY WE LIKE IT: Rapala shad rap is a very well-known lure, and for good reason. The company never fails to deliver products worthy of any walleye angler’s tackle box. It’s very easy to cast and troll and takes on even the most struggling fish. It can dive deep due to its long lip and find all kinds of lurking predators.
- Material: Made from balsa wood
- Color: Bleeding Pearl, Bluegill, Crawdad, Blue Copper Flash, Firetiger, Perch, Shad, Silver, and multicolor
- Size: 2.75 Inches
- Weight: 0.044 pounds
Pros
- Good with cold water
- Durability
- Performance
- Beginner-friendly lure
Cons
- Not good with weed beds or other structures
- Paint durability
- Limited color options
OVERVIEW: This crankbait was made for endurance to withstand tough fish in all kinds of waters, especially colder ones. Its balsa wood body is capable of handling the large force of struggling fish. We found it very easy to maneuver and could either cast or troll it, making it a fine fishing companion.
FEATURES: The sturdy material is not the only difference between this product and other lures. If you’re boat fishing, the Shad Rap is the most versatile crankbait on the market. Unlike other shad mimics, it can be used in various depths and all kinds of waters.
How to Choose Walleye Lure?
Type
There’s an abundance of lure types because they each come specialized in certain environments or have unique features. Depending on where you like to fish and the types of techniques you prefer to use, you must keep in mind the kind of lure you purchase.
Size
They say size doesn’t matter, but with lures, it does. Some fish prefer smaller prey, whilst others prefer a bigger meal. It’s good to have variety in your tackle box.
Color
Small baitfish come in all kinds of colors and walleye are always on the lookout for colors that stand out. Whether you go for a blue minnow bait or a chartreuse purple shad mimic, the more eye-catching the lures are, the better.
Cost
It’s always important to make sure you stay within budget for fishing gear. Several things need to be considered when shopping for bait. Whether they are worth the price of their versatility, features, capabilities, and durability. Some lures come in packages, so be on the lookout for good deals.
Components
Whilst some bait are good just as they are, others may need a few extra components. If you want your bait to stay under a weighted element can help with that. Perhaps adding that extra bead or feather can help attract more fish to bite? It all depends on how much extra work each lure needs.
Technique
Just casting your bait won’t work to attract hungry walleye. For some, trolling works better than casting. With others, you may need a slow and steady retrieve and, with others, a faster one. It all depends on what type of fish your bait is meant to mimic and what you need to do to make it act like one.
Gear
Certain types of rods and lines are better suited to different fishing areas and fish. If you want to focus on river fish or ice fishing you’ll need the right gear. Choosing the best walleye lures and the best gear goes hand-in-hand. Check out our article on the best ice fishing rods for some suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re fishing for walleye in clear waters with no structures, light and bright colors work best, especially yellow, gold, pink, white, and chartreuse. When fishing in a weed bed you’ll need dark-colored lures. So it’s good to have multiple colored baits to switch between.
While most walleye prefer to stay in deep waters, they will swim up to the surface to hunt. So yes, they do take topwater bait as well. In this sense, they are similar to trout and catfish.
Nighttime is the best time to go fishing for walleye. When it’s dark, they are at their most active. These fish prefer cooler waters, and they have great eye-sight, so they have no problem spotting prey, even with low visibility.
Walleye are most abundant in lakes near structures. They tend to hang around rocky ledges as well. Most of their food sources happen to be near these areas and obstructions. You’re almost guaranteed to find them there.
Walleye go for many different lures like worms, jigs, soft plastics, and shads. But minnow-shaped baits make the best walleye lure, they’re also highly versatile.